Arts and Sciences

What is there at Rowany Festival for the non-fighter? A hell of a lot. Aside from spectating, volunteering, socialising, and perusing merchant stalls (activities which can easily fill hours), Rowany Festival is a major opportunity to get together with people of all levels of experience to learn new skills and show off what you can do.

Want to see what other people are doing in your area of interest? Rowany Festival has guild meetings galore! The Dance Guild, the Cooks’ Guild, the Herb and Gardens Guild, the Worshipful Company of Broderers, the Brewers Guild, the Fibre Guild, the Scribes Guild, the Performers, Musicians and Entertainers Guild… there’s something for everyone.

Want a social space to work on your own projects? We’ve got that too! This year we will have both the Artisans Pavilion (an outdoor area with forge, lathe, and oven) and the Weavers Workshop (a well-lit area for use by weavers, spinners, musicians, and anyone else who wants a quiet indoor chat).

Want to show off? You can guess what I’m going to say… Laurel Prize is an open A&S display, where all members of the kingdom are welcome to bring something they’re proud of to display, discuss, and get feedback from roving Laurels on. For costumers, Mistress Clara van der Maes is running a competition with the theme ‘improvements’. For cooks, there’s Lochac’s Ultimate Food Fight – no theme, just bring your best! And as part of the Crown Tournament, there will be a Kingdom A&S Competition, with three categories to choose from: a meeting of Mediterranean cultures; smellable; and item for an archer.

If none of these tickle your fancy, you still won’t lack for entertainment. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday night, roving readers will bring Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to life in an eagerly anticipated sequel to last year’s Beowulf Project. Dancers, new or experienced, are invited to the Good Friday Ball (on, you guessed it, Friday), and the more formal Caroso Ball (on Sunday). More musically inclined? Try a bardic circle! Looking for something more formal? On Friday night, Atelier campsite is hosting choral singing, and on Sunday afternoon, the Courtly Music & Poetry Recital will be a relaxing conclusion to the bardic schedule. (Except, of course, for Festival’s annual epilogue: the Boar’s Head Tavern, a Sunday night variety show of music, comedy, poetry, acting, clowning, and anything else that might suit a stage in the Tavern.)

And if all this still seems like it’s missing something? Send me a request! Just email me at meredith.waldron1@gmail.com with your ideas, and I’ll see what I can do.